Kigali 3rd September 2019- 15-year-old Emmanuel Precious Kabandize comes from Ndera sector in Gasabo district, Kigali-Rwanda. Emmanuel is a senior three student at Groupe Scolaire Camp Kanombe in Kicukiro district, Kigali-Rwanda. Emmanuel’s favourite subject is physics and he aspires to be a pilot in future when he grows up.
At Groupe Scolaire Camp Kanombe, Emmanuel interacts with Cyuzuzo Odda who as a Teaching Assistant is working with Emmanuel’s teacher to support teaching and learning of mathematics and science subjects. Odda is one of the 150 young women in their gap year, recruited, trained and deployed in 150 schools across 15 districts, to gain practical experience in teaching mathematics and science subjects, with the aim of inspiring them to take up teaching careers or consider education as area of further academic study.
I have benefitted very much from Odda’s lessons in physics and maths. The class work and group discussions are interesting because Odda is not older than us. I am always looking forward to her lessons. Says Emmanuel on being asked about his experience with Odda’s teaching. Odda and Akimana Latifah are the two the Teaching Assistants at Groupe Scolaire Camp Kanombe. In addition to national level training, they receive ongoing training from their Teaching Assistantship Mentor, who in collaboration with host teachers facilitates the Teaching Assistants to prepare effectively for their lessons.
Asked about what he thinks when he sees a girl who excelled in sciences teaching him, Emmanuel smiles and says, I just admire her and would like to also be a Teaching Assistant, to help others to learn. I want to be a Pilot, but I also want to know how to teach others what I know.
That is enthusiastic Emmanuel for you!
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